Home Remodeling

Plan your renovation properly and stick with your plans, as changing your mind during a project can be costly and can really slow down your progress.
Ensure you apply for and receive permission, if needed, from the proper regulatory bodies for your project before you begin work. You won’t want need to undo any hard work you undertake due to a technicality.
Don’t attempt to take on an entire property at the same time, you should work on one room at a time ideally. That being said, don’t blow your budget on a single room. You may initially complete a room and return to add ribbon or other finishing touches later on.
2. Always double, and even triple, check all your measurements and remember that judging perception can be quite tough for an untrained eye.
Whether you’re measuring for new staircase, doors, kitchen units, or perhaps just so you can organise your furniture in another way, accurately measuring is always vital. If measurements are only slightly off it can mean that things don’t fit properly and the end won’t look good. The key to an expensive and professional looking end, even when working to a tight budget, it accurate measuring and taking note of every dimension. Spending that extra time at the beginning of the job can save you a lot of money and time later down the line.
Make sure that larger installations will really suit the space. Overly large units, fireplaces, staircases and other installations can ruin the appearance and feel of a room, and it can be difficult to judge how they will look before they are fitted.
3. Always have a contingency in addition to an estimate for costs and materials.
You might want to have a ballpark figure of what you want to spend at the start of a project, but you always need to prepare for overspending. Things can change and things can go wrong for any job and if you run out of cash before things are completed it may turn a small problem into a catastrophe.
You must also allow for breakages and over cuts of materials. It’s a good idea to order more than you need and return unused items. Things that could easily be cut short by error or broken include moulding strips, such as dado and picture rails, stair spindles and handrails lengths and flooring panels. Bear in mind the unseen details. Skimping on the characteristics that aren’t actually visible can be a significant mistake in the long term.
Never dismiss structural flaws, such as cracked walls, as this could create more work in the future. Having things such as adequate drainage, ventilation and heating are absolutely crucial in most properties.
Other details to consider are things like high-quality underlay for flooring or linings for wallpaper can have a real benefit. Opting for underfloor heating rather than a luxury rug will keep your feet warmer for longer. Tackle the mundane first and work on the final decoration later. Cost, longevity and appearance should be considered.
Hardwood floors are very popular and can look stunning, but if you have kids and pets, or even if a place has high traffic, laminates may actually be far more suitable. You may also be surprised by the quality, strength and feel of contemporary laminate and vinyl flooring options.
Granite worktops can look stunning, but you should look around and consider that cheaper options as well.
Choosing the wrong paint or wood care product can cause problems and may require you to do regular touch-ups. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms will need moisture resistant paints. Doors and windows need to be completed correctly at setup and maintained over time to ensure they continue as long as you can.
Remember sometimes it pays to pick the more expensive, longer lasting possibilities, but not always, so do your research.
6. It does not always pay to go for the cheapest options. This goes for materials, furnishings, tools and builders. Cheaper materials might actually be more expensive in the long run if they don’t last, and you should always look at testimonials and real examples of work with builders in addition to prices.
If you’re undertaking any job yourself it will pay to invest in some high-quality tools to ensure high standards are met. These tools will usually come in handy at other times in the future.
7. Don’t be scared of rearranging more durable fittings and appliances, such as plumbed capabilities. Adapting the layout of your bathroom or kitchen can have some real benefits in the future that will outweigh the effort it requires initially. You may be amazed how easy it really is to move a toilet or shower, and it can make a massive difference to the feel of the room. The latest trend may not always suit your home’s style and may not always be practical. You always need to consider the heritage and the overall structure of your house and respect it. Some design schemes will just not suit every home.
You’ll also find that if you follow the most recent trends too closely you can shorten the lifespan of an area as trends change quickly and you can find yourself with something that suddenly looks dated not long after it is finished. Consider choosing a simple base layout for a room which you can easily add accessories to when you want to incorporate the most recent style choices.